Reflections on a Rice Field

Photographically, I love the fall and winter in the Sacramento Valley for a number of reasons; the abundant wildlife, the tule fog that shrouds the valley in mystery, the beautiful clear skies (when the fog burns off). But there's one thing I love to photograph above all others: flooded rice fields.

There is nothing like standing on a levee surrounded on all sides by flooded rice fields. On a calm day the perfect reflections of the sky make you feel like you are floating in space, surrounded by light and color.

Sunset clouds are reflected in a rice field near Willows.

There is really nothing quite so breathtaking as an amazing sunset reflected all around you in every direction. And when you are out there you feel like the only person in the immense and open universe.

From late November to mid-February, hundreds of thousands of acres of rice fields are flooded in the Sacramento Valley. I plan to get out there every chance I get.

Reflections as the sun sets over the Coast Range mountains.

I love the symmetry of the cloud reflections in the rice fields.

The deep colors of sunset reflected in the rice fields.

God beams appear after the sun sets behind the Coast Range.

Fall Colors in Discovery Park, Sacramento

My last stop to check out the fall colors in Sacramento was Discovery Park, where the Sacramento and American rivers meet.

An early morning visit provided some wonderful images streams of light from the rising sun.

Early morning sunlight in Discovery Park.

The sun rises behind the trees in Discovery Park.

Picnic tables and trees in Discovery Park.

Trees in Discovery Park.

Fall Colors in Sacramento

My second stop in touring the fall colors in Sacramento was Midtown, location of some truly stunning homes and mansions. Capturing nature in urban environments can be challenging, particularly with all the parked cars, powerlines, and other distractions, but I was able to capture at least a bit of the beauty of this part of Sacramento.

Fall colors on a street in Midtown Sacramento.

Fall colors on a street in Midtown Sacramento.

Fall colors on a street in Midtown Sacramento.

Fall colors on a street in Midtown Sacramento.

Fall in William Land Park, Sacramento

As the fall colors in northern California have been exceptional this year, I made sure to not miss Sacramento, which can explode with color.

My first stop was William Land Park, with it's trees, ponds, and golf course - all of which were very beautiful this year.

Enjoy!

Pond in William Land Park

Path around a pond at William Land Park

People enjoy the fall colors at William Land Park

Ducks and geese populate the ponds in William Land Park

Scenic fence on the golf course at William Land Park

One of the fairways on the golf course at William Land Park